You may not recognize his name, but you’ve probably heard Jeff Beal’s music on everything from TV’s “Ugly Betty” and “Monk” to the big screen’s “Pollock.” For his haunting theme for “House of Cards” — which he recorded, complete with string orchestra, in his California living room — he even plays solo trumpet.

Beal’s latest commission came from the Brooklyn Youth Chorus for its “Silent Voices” series, his piece inspired by an African-American activist who in turn inspired Eleanor Roosevelt to fight all kinds of barriers. Beal, 53, is overcoming one of his own: Diagnosed a decade ago with multiple sclerosis, he finds that focusing on doing the work he loves has helped keep his symptoms at bay.

Here’s what’s in this musician’s library:

The Firebrand and the First Lady by Patricia Bell-Scott
This is the source material for the work I did for the youth chorus. I wanted to write something for kids, a modern version of Copland’s “A Lincoln Portrait.” Someone suggested Eleanor Roosevelt. This book tells about her friendship with African-American activist Pauli Murray and how they propelled each other. The young women in the chorus sing it with such hope and energy!

No Minor Chords by Andre Previn
I’m fascinated by any artist’s story, especially someone like Andre Previn, who had a career in Hollywood and became a conductor. He worked in the golden age of the studios, where execs had crazy rules like “no minor chords.” If you’re a composer, that’s like cutting off one of your hands!

Warhol: The Biography by Victor Bockris
I’ve always admired Andy Warhol’s work but knew very little about his life. He came from a working-class immigrant family, and that background informed his later personality, especially his love of extravagance. Jared Leto’s going to make a film about Warhol, and I hope to score it.

Taps on the Wall: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton by John Borling
Borling served in Vietnam and spent several years in prison there. POWs weren’t allowed to speak, so they communicated through Morse code. Borling spent most of his time “writing” poetry and tapping it out. When I wrote for a men’s chorus, I set one of his poems, “Beneath Thin Blanket,” to music.